Madagascar

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Our program in Madagascar aims to reinforce public participation in building a state based on the rule of law through training activities, civic education and grassroots organization linkage. We support citizen mobilizations to resolve local problems and citizen participation in establishing a genuine decentralization policy.

“Since the arrival of the mine, I have not seen any improvements in the quality of life of my children or my grandchildren. On the contrary, we are becoming more impoverished by the day because the mining company forbids us from expanding our fields.” Monsieur Rakotoarimanana, the village chief of Ambohibary (district of Moramanga).

In order to ensure an equitable distribution of wealth, Development and Peace also supports community participation in the management of the country's natural resources and access for the most impoverished to mining operation profits.

Finally, we support partners who are working to defend the land rights of small farmers, as well as peasant groups so as to help them boost their agricultural production.

The issues we work on to build justice:

The large island has more than 20 million inhabitants of whom 80 percent subsist on less than 1 dollar per day even though the country has significant natural resources (sapphire, rosewood, nickel, cobalt, oil, etc.).

Free and transparent elections were held in 2013 following a serious crisis that had persisted since 2009 and which dramatically impacted the living conditions of the vast majority of the population. As soon as he took office, the transitional president, Andry Rajoelina, called upon foreign investors to relaunch the country’s economy, appeals directed primarily to mining and oil companies, which have since resumed exploration activities.

In 2014, the country regained institutional stability thanks to the election of Hery Rajaonarimampianina, the ex-finance minister of the former transitional power. Despite a weak economy and a very high unemployment rate, agriculture remains the key sector of the Malagasy economy and is the livelihood of over 70 percent of the population.

The Rakotoarimanana family lives in Ambohibary, a village located in the district of Moramanga. The village is surrounded by forests that are rich in biodiversity, and a passion for nature is transmitted from generation to generation. The father is the Fonkontany (village) chief and takes care of everyday business in the community. Mr.

Access to land and defense of the environment are major issues in Madagascar. Malagasies are excellent farmers and among the finest rice growers in the world. On the island of Madagascar, there are approximately 14,000 peasants cultivating rice on irrigated lands located about 250 km from the capital city of Antanarivo.

Several members of Development and Peace along with two Regional Animators are currently on a solidarity tour of Madagascar to visit with local organizations supported by Development and Peace. Over the next few weeks, they will be writing about their visits and experiences.

We had the opportunity to go to the Antananarivo (Tana) Cathedral for an audience with Archbishop Odon of Tana. During our visit, he commented that family is a critical element for any positive, successful development in Madagascar.

Last February, Cyclone Giovanna and Tropical Storm Irina, swept through the African island-nation of Madagascar, causing major damage in many communities. According to local officials, there were over 330,000 people affected by the storms, including 111 deaths, 299 people injured, three reported missing and 55,060 who were displaced.